Cebu Port Body Applies for Php400-M Loan to Build Fastcraft Terminal

The Cebu Port Authority (CPA) has applied for a Php400-million loan with the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) to fund the building of a fastcraft terminal in Cebu City, an official said.

CPA General Manager Edmund Tan said the agency’s loan application with DBP in Cebu has been sent to the DBP-Manila for approval.

“Hopefully, it will be approved so we can start the process of bidding our fastcraft terminal at the Cebu Base Port worth Php400 million,” Tan said.

Tan said the Robinsons Galleria Cebu has a pending proposal to construct a skywalk or flyover to connect the newly-opened mall at the North Reclamation Area (NRA) to the fastcraft terminal at the base port, better known as Pier 4.

“But they will only build the skywalk once our terminal will start construction or completed, depending on what Robinsons management decides,” Tan said.

The future fastcraft terminal will be located at the area formerly occupied by Supercat and 2Go.

The area was abandoned after it was damaged by the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that hit Cebu and Bohol on Oct. 15, 2013.

Tan said a new and world-class terminal will be the exclusive berthing area for all fastcraft vessels of Oceanjet of Ocean Ferries Inc., Supercat and Weesam.

The terminal will also host the proposed airport shuttle ferry service where airplane passengers can check-in at the terminal and ride a fast ferry going to the airport via the Anton’s wharf in Lapu-Lapu City.

Tan said taxi drivers and drivers of privately-owned vehicles are confused in conveying their passengers who are taking fastcrafts because some are berthing at Piers 1, 2 and 3.

An exclusive fastcraft terminal will clear this confusion, Tan said.

He said the CPA is also applying for another loan of Php600 million for the expansion of a domestic port beside the Cebu International Port (CIP) so that a quay crane can be installed for domestic port operations. (PNA) SCS/EB/SSC